Just weeks before the start of the 2026 Formula 1 season, Lewis Hamilton has been dealt another unexpected blow off track.

According to British media reports, the seven-time world champion has parted ways for the second time with one of his closest professional partners — Marc Hynes, his former manager and the chief executive of Project 44.

The timing couldn’t be worse.

A Partnership Ends — Again

Hamilton and Hynes share a long and deeply rooted history. The former British Formula 3 champion worked alongside Hamilton from 2015 to 2021, helping manage the commercial and logistical side of his career during some of his most successful Mercedes years.

They first split amicably — but ahead of Hamilton’s blockbuster move from Mercedes to Ferrari in 2025, Hynes was brought back into the fold. The reunion was part of a wider effort to rebuild Hamilton’s trusted inner circle, which also included reuniting with long-time performance coach Angela Cullen.

Now, just as the 2026 season approaches, that partnership has ended once more.

Cadillac Enters the Picture

Reports suggest Hynes has accepted a new role with the newly formed Cadillac F1 Team. His LinkedIn profile now lists his position as “Zhou Guanyu F1 Management and Athlete Representation.”

While Zhou Guanyu will serve as Cadillac’s reserve driver for 2026, the American team’s race seats are expected to be filled by Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Pérez.

The move reportedly prompted an amicable split between Hynes and Hamilton — but it marks another significant personnel change in Hamilton’s camp during a critical phase of his Ferrari chapter.

Not the First Change of 2026

The separation follows another notable shake-up earlier this year.

Just two weeks into 2026, Ferrari confirmed that Hamilton’s race engineer Riccardo Adami would not continue in his role, instead moving into a position within Ferrari’s driver academy and TPC program.

Hamilton and Adami’s first season together was widely viewed as strained, with awkward radio exchanges becoming a regular talking point throughout Hamilton’s debut year in red.

The decision appeared to sit well with Hamilton, who looked relaxed and confident after topping the unofficial timing sheets during Ferrari’s recent Barcelona shakedown — although his new race engineer has yet to be announced.

Focus Shifts to the Track

Despite the off-track turbulence, Hamilton’s attention now turns firmly to racing.

The 2026 Formula 1 season begins in Melbourne at the Australian Grand Prix on March 8, following two rounds of pre-season testing in Bahrain from February 11–13 and February 18–20.

With major changes happening both inside Ferrari and within his personal team, the spotlight is firmly on Hamilton as he prepares for one of the most scrutinized seasons of his career.

One question hangs in the air:

Will instability off track threaten Ferrari’s momentum — or free Hamilton to focus on what matters most?